Consumers are seeking out more meaningful IRL experiences that are digital-lite and seamlessly connected to their personal lives. This month’s trends spotted by GPJ Strategists Josh Fischer and Elizabeth Bikowski.
Leave your phone at home and disconnect to connect
Desire is growing for screen-free experiences that make us feel more present.
Recently, high school students in Florida and Indiana returned to school with new bans on phone use. While these policies are mandatory, they align with a broader, voluntary movement where people are increasingly seeking screen-free experiences. From digital detox hangouts and offline clubs to phone-free concerts and screen-free restaurants, more individuals are opting to disconnect.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Gen Z is saying goodbye to stranger danger
Gen Z is ditching the dating apps and seeking chance, IRL connections.
Remote workers, digital nomads, and Gen Z transplants to big cities are joining clubs and using apps to find community. Powered by AI and algorithms – and explicitly not for dating or networking – many of these apps do not require the cumbersome maintenance of profiles, DMing, or swiping—eliminating the work needed to facilitate face-to-face encounters.
Pet-friendly experiences are the cat’s pajamas
Animal-inclusive experiences are rising in popularity to meet the growing demands of pet parents.
Brands are looking to tap into a new demographic of ‘pet parents’ by increasing their pet-friendly offerings to accommodate man’s best friend. Whether it’s an airline offering “white paw experiences” for its canine customers, to popular brands like Lyft introducing new initiatives that cater to Fido, to dog-friendly theme parks and restaurant weeks—everyone wants a slice of the estimated $259 million annual budget of pet parents.
Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle
Experiences are blurring the lines between online and IRL
Driven by digital natives, experiences are evolving beyond the confines of a single place or point in time.
Events are becoming multidimensional, transcending geographic boundaries and creating ongoing, interactive experiences. Fans can now feel like participants rather than just observers, whether through live-streamed content, viral social media trends, or in this case, enjoying the same cocktail as those in the stadium.
Image: Dustin Satloff/USTA/AP
OUT-THERE EXPERIENCES
People, brands and marketers continue to push the boundaries of physical and digital experiences, with new and creative executions popping up across the globe.
Coming soon to South Los Angeles will be the first ever Costco with apartments.
Coqodaq brought a whole new level of luxury and exclusivity to the U.S. Open with their caviar covered nuggets.
Chipotle has collabed with Spirit Halloween to bring their brand to life in a whole new way.
KFC is leveling up their Christmas in July program with a chance to stay at the new Colonel Lodge.
Catch up on all our previous Experience Intelligence reports. Or schedule a strategy session with us!
